Warning! Do not log on (anywhere) using your owner key
Hey Steemit,
(image from openclipart.org)
After chatting with someone I realized that a lot of newer users probably don't know about this. In Steemit you have four important private keys (per account) that you need to keep track of:
- Owner key: also might be called Master key
- Posting key: used for posting, commenting, voting
- Active key: used for money, the market, delegations, etc
- Memo: used to send encrypted messages
If I've already lost you, and you have no idea what I'm talking about...then this post is for you!
Chances are quite good in this case that you are using your owner key to log on to steemit.com (or elsewhere!!)
This is a bad idea, don't do it!
Not even on the Steemit.com site, it's a bad idea! If your owner key is intercepted, then you are going to get Owned. And if you are using your owner key to log on to a third party site? That's madness.
(meme generated on https://imgflip.com)
If you don't have all four of your private keys written down and saved somewhere safe, then you need to do this:
- Go to https://steemit.com/@[your account]/permissions
- You are going to have to use your owner key for this (just this one time!)
- You'll see your public keys there. You don't need to write these down, everyone can see them. They start with "STM".
- You are going to need to click on "Show private key". This will show your private key. It starts with a "5".
- Write down these four keys in a safe place! Guard them with your life. Your owner key is your steemit soul!
(image from quickmeme)
Gandolf keeps his owner key safe!
How do I log on now?
When you log on to a steemit type site, use your "POSTING" key. You'll be able to post, comment and vote normally.
If you have to send money or do something with your money, you'll be prompted for your "ACTIVE" key.
You have to keep this two keys safe as well of course. If they get compromised, then you will need to quickly log on with your Owner key to change your keys (password). For usual day-to-day purposes, you should never need to even touch your owner key.
Ok, I hope this helps, stay safe out there!
Your post is really helpful .....got to know more about steemit.....thanks for sharing
Thanks for the tips, I wish I saw your post BEFORE I changed my owner password. As it stands now, I made note of all my public keys but not the private ones. I know, I know, but i'm new to this! So now I can't see my owner private key. I have the other private keys but not the owner. Can I find out what it is or do I need to close my account and start over?
If you have lost your private owner key, then it's probably gone forever. You might try searching your computer for it.
I never saved it, I just took note of the public keys. Yes, I know :( But, I just came across a post that said the owner key is the same as master password and I do have that one. Are they the same thing?
Yes the owner key is also the master password.
Thank you!
what is the differences
Thanks for the info. I made a smaller mistake in this vein earlier in my steemit career. Thought I needed to put my posting key in a memo sending money to and from bittrex.
Was my public key so no biggie, but at the time I had no idea everyone would be able to see it and could have gotten destroyed had it been a little different.
Thanks for educating folks.
Good advices, its very important to keep the private key private, thats why its called private, dont use it anywhere else besides steemit to assure you are safe.
Thanks for the information
THANK YOU!!!!! and Thank you some more for this advice. You definitely saved me from potential misery down the line. You are AWESOME @neoxian!
Good call. I have been on Steemit for a while and still not doing this. Now that my account is worth more than pocket change need to tighten up on security.
Just don't sic that dog on me man! I'm on it.
"warning, do not read this sign." Too late, lol.
Thanks for your call man
Thank you for the information and for the warning. I think that nowadays the security is the most important thing
Thanks for sharing this very important information. I have read a lot about the scams going on and hope all the new users find this post before it’s too late.